2015 in rear view as Staples football opens camp

Now a senior, Staples quarterback Andrew Speed will lead the offense in 2016.

Now a senior, Staples quarterback Andrew Speed will lead the offense in 2016.

Photo: File Photo

2015 in rear view as Staples football opens camp

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If it wasn’t for bad luck, the 2015 Staples football team wouldn’t have much luck at all.

Injuries to many of its key players helped derail what was once a promising season when many expected the Wreckers to be a contender for a conference title. Running backs Ethan Burger and Conor Adrian each missed most of it, injuries in the secondary thinned the roster even further and an injury to first-year starting quarterback Andrew Speed put the Wreckers offense in neutral at times.

By the time Staples faced Darien in the state playoffs, the team was running on fumes. The Wreckers finished with a 7-3 record.

The injuries may reap dividends in 2016 — which began Monday with conditioning workouts — as players forced to step into the lineup a year early now have varsity experience under their belt.

"It was probably was (the most injuries in a season),” said coach Marce Petroccio. “Going through the film we had 13 starters out for games; that’s hard to overcome. The bad news is you gotta play young kids who aren’t quite ready, but now the good news is they’ve had a taste of it a little sooner and they're ready for this year."

Though most of that is in the rear view mirror now, one crucial setback from a year ago will have a major impact on Staples' option run attack in 2016. Now a senior, Ethan Burger has not fully recovered from an ACL injury and will miss the entire season.

If there was ever a spot on the depth chart that could withstand an injury at Staples, it is at the running back position. Set to have another dominant attack in the trenches this fall, the Wreckers have a trio of talented running backs ready to carry the ball when the team hosts Brien McMahon September 9.

Elliott Poulley was one of the many players forced to step into the lineup a year ago, and will do so again as a primary ball carrier. Harrison Levi and Brandon Adrian will also get carries.

"These guys are different cats," Petroccio said. "They each have tremendous speed; they are slashers that can make you miss."

In an attempt to get bigger, faster and stronger — and perhaps more durable — for the season, Petroccio called on the services of former player Joe Oppedisano.

Oppedisano owns a gym in Fairfield and has worked with the club since December to add speed and agility to the toolbox.

Speed — who missed the Wreckers first loss of the season to Ridgefield — also healthy and ready to lead the offense as a senior captain.

The Wreckers usually participate in spring football, but opted to use the extra practice time in the fall due to a combination of the school season ending early and a busy spring schedule for dual athletes playing baseball and lacrosse.

Optimism is abound that Staples could rejoin the FCIAC hunt this fall. If injury luck could only follow.

"We’re excited," Petroccio said. "We have some talent here; we have some kids who love football, and we have depth, which we haven't in a while."